upstart

American  

[uhp-stahrt, uhp-stahrt] / ˈʌpˌstɑrt, ʌpˈstɑrt /

noun

1. a person who has risen suddenly from a humble position to wealth, power, or a position of consequence.

2. a presumptuous and objectionable person who has so risen; parvenu.

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adjective

1. being, resembling, or characteristic of an upstart.

verb (used without object)

1. to spring into existence or into view.

2. to start up; spring up, as to one's feet.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to start up.

upstart British  

noun

1. 1. a person, group, etc, that has risen suddenly to a position of power or wealth

   2. ( as modifier )

      an upstart tyrant

      an upstart family

2. 1. an arrogant or presumptuous person

   2. ( as modifier )

      his upstart ambition

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verb

1. archaic (intr) to start up, as in surprise, etc

Other Word Forms

• upstartness noun

Etymology

Origin of upstart

1275–1325; Middle English (v.); up-, start

Example Sentences

The sneaker company is facing stiffer competition from domestic upstart brands like Anta Sports Products, whose sales jumped 13% in 2025 to about $11.6 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

An upstart competitor would have to gain access to a customer’s data and organize it.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Last season, the upstart Mariners finally broke through after years of promise, winning 90 games and claiming their first division crown since 2001.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

For the former small business adviser from Suffolk, taking a small stake in the upstart beer company from north east Scotland seemed an opportunity too good to miss.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

The primary danger to the whales is a newcomer, an upstart animal, only recently, through technology, become competent in the oceans, a creature that calls itself human.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan